More About Physical Health

The World Trade Center (WTC) terrorist attack and its aftermath exposed hundreds of thousands of people to debris, dust, smoke and fumes. Studies conducted after September 11, 2001, among rescue and clean-up workers, office workers, building evacuees, and residents of lower Manhattan have shown increased respiratory and other physical health problems. Following is a list of the most common conditions experienced by individuals exposed to the WTC attacks and their aftermath.

Conditions

Upper Airway Cough Syndrome (UACS)

Upper airway cough syndrome (UACS), formerly termed postnasal drip syndrome, is commonly caused by continuous irritation or infection of the sinuses and the nose either due to allergies or from environmental irritants.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) are closely related illnesses. GERD results from the flow back or return (reflux) of stomach contents into the esophagus. LPRD results from the reflux of stomach contents into the voice box or throat.

Symptoms of GERD: Heartburn, acid regurgitation, upset stomach, cough made worse with meals or at night

Symptoms of LPRD: Hoarseness or other vocal changes, sore throat, cough, sensation of having a lump in the throat

Learn more about GERD and LPRD from the Cleveland Clinic and the Lahey Clinic:

Long-Term Physical Health Concerns

There has been increased concern about sarcoidosis and cancer among individuals who were highly exposed during the WTC disaster. The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, in conjunction with other programs, is closely monitoring these conditions in order to detect any increases in these diseases.

Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis* is an auto-immune disease that can attack any organ of the body, although it often starts in the lungs or lymph nodes. It mainly affects people between 20 and 40 years of age, with African-Americans three times more likely to develop the condition than Caucasians and women twice as likely to develop it as men. While most sarcoidosis patients recover without treatment, less than one-third develop chronic debilitating sarcoidosis and fewer than 5% die from the disease. The exact cause of sarcoidosis is unknown.

Sarcoidosis and World Trade Center (WTC) Dust Exposure

While studies have not definitively linked dust exposure from the WTC disaster to new-onset sarcoidosis among exposed workers, the data does suggest elevated levels of sarcoidosis among firefighters.

There have been a few reported sarcoidosis cases among rescue workers that may be related to Ground Zero dust exposure. In May 2007, the New York City Chief Medical Examiner determined that dust exposure from the disaster contributed to a sarcoidosis death, based on published epidemiologic findings among exposed firefighters.

Sarcoidosis is difficult to verify because NYC providers are not required by law to report sarcoidosis cases to the Health Department. Based on New York City death certificate records over the past 10 years, there have been an average of 32 sarcoidosis deaths per year, with the annual number remaining the same since the WTC attacks. During the same period, there have been between 362 and 439 sarcoidosis-related hospitalizations per year in NYC (five per 100,000 people), with the annual rate remaining the same since the disaster.

* Breathing in beryllium, other metal dust or fumes or moldy materials can cause lung disease, which may resemble sarcoidosis.

Cancers

The collapse and burning of the WTC and neighboring buildings released a complex mixture of irritant dust, smoke and gases. The dust cloud also contained heavy metals, as well as asbestos and other carcinogens. In addition, smoke released from the fires contained hazardous and potentially cancer-causing substances.

Because of these exposures, there has been concern about the possibility of increased cancer rates among WTC-exposed people. The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the Fire Department of New York and other researchers are carefully monitoring cancer rates among highly exposed people.

In 2007, the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene brought together a panel of experts, including representatives from FDNY, the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, the New York State Department of Health and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, to discuss the potential impact of the WTC disaster on cancer rates and mortality. For more information, click here.

In 2010, after beginning the process of confirming cancer diagnoses within their cohorts, the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and FDNY co-chaired another conference of outside experts, including biostatisticians, environmental health scientists and cancer epidemiologists, to help address the complex methodological questions associated with their preliminary cancer investigations. The conference produced several recommendations which are described in the 2010 WTC Medical Working group annual report.

Although cancer associated with specific exposures takes a long time to develop, three early cancer studies based on verified diagnoses within their cohorts through 2008 (the latest year for which data was available when these analyses began) have been published:

FDNY found that nearly 9,000 firefighters with WTC exposure may be at greater risk for cancer than firefighters who weren’t exposed.

The WTC Health Registry found small increases in rates of prostate cancer, thyroid cancer and multiple myeloma, a blood cancer, among nearly 34,000 WTC rescue and recovery workers in comparison to rates among New York State residents after adjusting for age, race/ethnicity and sex.

Prostate and thyroid cancer rates were higher than expected among nearly 21,000 rescue and recovery workers enrolled in the WTC Health Program in comparison to rates in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania where the majority of workers lived.

Cancer analyses continue at FDNY, the WTC Health Registry and at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

In 2012, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health added many different types of cancers to the list of conditions that can be treated at the World Trade Center Health Program.

The Department is also conducting a broader public awareness campaign about cancer testing, and is working with its clinical partners to offer free cancer screenings. Identifying cancer early in the course of the disease reduces the risk of developing disability from cancer. Department efforts to reduce the rates of smoking among WTC disaster-exposed people also help reduce their risk for developing cancer and other diseases.

What You Can Do

Seek medical care.

If you were exposed to the WTC disaster and have developed symptoms or conditions you feel are related to this exposure, find out more about the federal WTC Health Program which provides services to eligible individuals with no out-of-pocket costs no matter where you live now.

Practice preventive health.

Whether or not you are currently experiencing symptoms, there are things you can do to maintain your current health status, prevent worsening of your health, and detect any new conditions. Suggested measures include:

If you smoke, quit! Tobacco is known to cause cancer and make existing respiratory conditions worse. If you currently smoke, there are programs in place to help you quit.

Lead a healthy lifestyle by drinking alcohol in moderation and avoiding more than moderate sun exposure. Increase physical activity, keep your weight down and eat a healthful and nutritious diet.

Have a physical exam every year that includes a complete blood count (CBC). Be sure your exam includes all tests appropriate for your sex and age, including cancer screenings.

Avoid risks at work and during leisure time. If you have any respiratory conditions try to reduce your exposure to irritants such as dust, pollen, grass and smoke both at home and at work. Consider giving up activities that expose you to irritants, and if activities cannot be avoided, wear personal protective equipment to minimize exposure.

Learn more about staying healthy from the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: